The UFC's bold shuffle of fighters on the eve of UFC 322 has MMA fans buzzing – and not always with excitement! As one of the most hyped events of 2025 draws near, just over a week away, the organization has shaken things up yet again with a fresh bout lineup for UFC 322, available for viewing at the official page (https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/ufc-322-della-maddalena-vs-makhachev/).
Scheduled for November 15 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, this spectacular showdown will be broadcast across multiple platforms including ESPN+ (https://go.web.plus.espn.com/bOQO4M) pay-per-view, ESPNews, Disney+, FX, and ESPN+. At the pinnacle of the card stand two thrilling title defenses: welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (with an impressive 18-2 MMA record, including 8-0 in UFC) stepping into the octagon to face off against the formidable Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) in the main event, and women's flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) risking her crown against the dynamic Zhang Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the co-main event.
But here's where it gets controversial... Originally, the main card was slated to include five bouts, with rising middleweight star Bo Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) making a comeback attempt after his debut defeat, clashing with Rodolfo Vieira (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC). Nickal's placement on the prime-time portion of the card stirred up quite a storm among fans, who argued that the lightweight matchup between Beneil Dariush (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) and Benoit Saint Denis (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) deserved that spotlight far more, perhaps due to its perceived entertainment value or the fighters' proven track records in delivering exciting bouts.
And this is the part most people miss – it seems the UFC brass took notice. During the live broadcast of UFC Fight Night 263 on Saturday, they unveiled an updated order that demoted Nickal's bout with Vieira to the featured preliminary card, while lifting Dariush versus Saint Denis onto the main card. For beginners diving into MMA, this shift highlights how pay-per-view (PPV) spots are often reserved for the biggest names or most anticipated fights to maximize viewer engagement and revenue, whereas preliminary cards build anticipation without the premium price tag.
To give you a clearer picture, think of it like rearranging seats at a blockbuster movie premiere – the headliners get the front row, but sometimes, a fan favorite gets bumped to keep the show balanced. Here's the latest UFC 322 lineup for your reference:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
* Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev – for welterweight title
* Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili – for women's flyweight title
* Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
* Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
* Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint Denis
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/ESPN+/Disney+/FX, 8 p.m. ET)
* Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
* Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
* Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
* Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+/Disney+/FX, 6 p.m. ET)
* Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
* Fatima Kline vs. Angela Hill
* Chepe Mariscal vs. Pat Sabatini
* Eric McConico vs. Baisangur Susurkaev
This decision has sparked debates: Is the UFC prioritizing star power over raw potential, or is this simply a smart business move to keep fans tuning in? Some might argue it's unfair to Nickal, whose promising career could use the bigger stage, while others see it as a nod to fan demands for more competitive, high-energy matchups like the Dariush-Saint Denis clash. What do you think – does this lineup excite you, or do you feel certain fighters got shortchanged? Hit the comments below to share your take and let's discuss: Should UFC always listen to fan outrage, or trust their own vision for the card?
